An exploration of the process of mediation, both from a practical and psychological viewpoint.
This excerpt from Elizabeth’s article in the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution asks the question: Is mediation fair to women? Recent research in neurobiology and psychology is discussed. A subsequent post deals with practical implications of the research on gender, psychology and neurobiology.
This post discusses Elizabeth’s views on the question of whether mediation can be unfair to women, and also, more broadly, some of the ways mediation can accommodate people who have been traumatized.
It is a true joy to live life free of a punitive superego (inner critic). In order to do this, though, we have to learn about the phenomenon of judgment, the superego and the inner critic. In a previous post, the basic structure and function of the superego was described. In this post, the superego’s (inner critic’s) relationship to conflict and conflict resolution is discussed.
A post about the tension between technique and presence during deep moments of resolution in trauma healing, spirituality and mediation. True mastery is not “doing” but wu wei, the ability to act while holding this tension. Draws on Peter Levine’s trauma work, (Somatic Experiencing®), the work of Daniel Stern, the Theory of Holes (A. H. Almaas and Faisal Muqaddam), and the work of J.G. Bennett, as well as Elizabeth Bader’s writings on the IDR cycle.
In this post, Tim Hicks presents his reflections on the neuroscience of mediation, knowing and identity and the IDR Cycle in mediation. He explains that the psychological experience that the IDR cycle theory describes (inflation, deflation, realistic resolution) is well-supported by what we believe to be true of the neurophysiology of learning, knowing, memory, and identity. His commentary ties the three phases of the cycle to some of the basic aspects of embodied consciousness. (For current research on embodied mind, see, for example, work by Don Tucker, Gerard Edelman, Antonio Damasio, Ben Bergen, Lawrence Barsalou, Vittorio Gallese, Mark Johnson, George Lakoff and David Geary ).
Issues relating to gender, conflict and women mediators are discussed in these notes from Leyla Navaro, M.A., a group therapist, author, educator and trainer. The notes were originally generated for an international telesalon organized by Elizabeth Bader, with Leyla Navaro, M.A. and Sharan L. Schwartzberg, Ed.D.
An illustrated version of an article about the IDR Cycle, the psychological cycle of ego-inflation (overconfidence), ego-deflation and realistic resolution typically experienced by parties during the mediation of civil disputes. Originally published on mediate.com, this article provides a simpler explanation of the cycle than those found in Elizabeth’s academic writings.
Stephen Porges PhD speaks about the Polyvagal Theory, healing trauma, and his own psychological and spiritual journey. In the attached blog post, Elizabeth discusses the applicability to mediation.
When mediators work on resolving conflicts, they often face challenges to their own egos. Discusses the “professional ego ideal,” mindfulness and more.
In order to move to a place of compassion we each must dissolve the internal psychological structure known as the inner critic or superego. This post, the first in a series, discusses this core work on the path of integrating psychology, spirituality and conflict resolution. We begin with the first step in this process: learning to recognize the inner critic inside.
